Led by private players, the general insurance industry grew by 15.4% till December this fiscal. Despite sluggish growth of PSU non-life insurers, the 12 players collected Rs 15,091 crore in April-December this fiscal against Rs 13,078 crore a year ago, up 15.4%, according to data by Irda.

State-owned New India Assurance was at the top, up 12.7% to collect Rs 3,471 crore in premium and a market pie of 23%. Delhi-based Oriental Insurance was at No 2, logging 13.4% growth in premium income at Rs 2,626 crore, cornering 17.4% of market.

National Insurance saw business fall by 7.3% to mop up Rs 2,625 crore. Another PSU insurer United India saw a flat growth to collect Rs 2,358 crore and a market share of 15.6%. In the private space, ICICI Lombard grew 88% to collect Rs 1,222 crore and was the top private player, followed by Bajaj Allianz which grew by 58% to pocket Rs 963 crore.

(http://economictimes.indiatimes.com)